Apparatus for automatically controlling fluid flow according to predetermined volumetric proportions

ABSTRACT

A device for automatically controlling the volumetric fluid flow from two separate sources according to a predetermined ratio, including two conduits leading from the respective sources and extending in generally convergent paths, a balancing vane device disposed at the juncture of the two conduits such that each side of the vane serves as an extension of the surface of a respective conduit, and a flapper valve body associated with each of the two conduits in the region of the balancing vane device, each of the flapper valve bodies being spring-biased in a direction restricting fluid flow through the associated conduit and thus serving as a nozzle, the balancing vane device being supported for rotation about a central pivot, but being spring-biased to remain in an equilibrium position. Each of the contoured sides of the balancing vane includes a portion adapted to cooperate with a respective flapper valve body in the event of a disproportionate fluid flow tending to cause rotation of the balancing vane to correct the disproportionate flow conditions. Both of the flapper valve bodies and the balancing vane may further include external indicators of the position of each of the respective movable members.

United States Patent {72] Inventor James D. Evers PrimaryExaminer-Robert G. Nilson Corry, Pa. AirorneyCraig, Antonelli, Stewartand Hill [21] A 1. No. 833,258 [22] Fii d June 16, 1969 5 patented J 22,1971 ABSTRACT: A device for automatically controlling the volu- [73]Assignee Aero-Flow Dynamics, Inc. metric fluid flow from two separatesources according to a C P predetermined ratio, including two conduitsleading from the respective sources and extending in generallyconvergent paths, a balancing vane device disposed at the juncture ofthe [54] APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY two conduits such that each side ofthe vane serves as an ex- CONTROLUNG FLUID now ACCORDING To tension ofthe surface of a respective conduit, and a flapper PREDETERMINEDVOLUMETRIC PROPORTIONS valve body associated with each of the twoconduits 111 the rem Claims, 1 Drawing Fig. gron of the balancing vanedevice, each of the flapper valve bodies being spring-biased in adirection restricting fluid flow [1.8. CI through the associated conduitand thus servin as a nozzle 7/ 137/527 the balancing vane device beingsupported for rotation about [51] Int. Cl 605d 11/03 a central pivot,but being spring-biased to remain in an 0 Search position. Each of thecontoured sides of the 101, 1 1 1 l, 1 balancing vane includes a portionadapted to cooperate with ares ctive fla er valve bod in the event of adispropor- [56] Rem-mes cued tior izte fluid 52w tending to c auserotation of the balancing UNITED STATES PATENTS vane to correct thedisproportionate flow conditions. Both of 1,581,595 4/1926 Osborne137/114 X the flapper valve bodies and the balancing vane may further3,1 16,748 1/1964 Wasson 137/98 include external indicators of theposition of each of the 3,154,917 1 1/1964 Williamson 137/1 14 Xrespective movable members.

T0 ENGINE FUEL FROM TANK N0.|

FUEL FROM TANK No.2

PATENTEU JUH22 l97| T0 ENGINE APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLINGFLUID FLOW ACCORDING TO PREDETERMINED VOLUMETRIC PROPORTIONS BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION T8e present invention pertains to an extremely simplethough effective construction of a device for equalizing volumetricfluid flow from two diverse sources. A flow equalizer of the typecontemplated by the present invention may have wide application invarious fields for automatically controlling the mixing of fluidstreams. In this connection, it should be apparent that the flowequalizer contemplated by the present invention and described in detailhereinbelow would be equally suitable whether the fluid be a liquid or agas. In fact, the flow equalizer disclosed herein could well be utilizedfor controlling the flow of finely divided solids dispersed within afluid stream.

One specific application for the novel flow equalizer contemplated bythe present invention is to function as an equalizing component of anaircraft fuel system, efl'ectively balancing the drainage of fuel fromthe plural fuel tanks. While other devices have been utilized toaccomplish this function heretofore, the devices employed haveinvariably been more complex in design, thus involving greatermanufacturing costs. Further, the devices used heretofore to accomplishthe balancing function have generally included a greater number ofmoving parts, thus involving a greater statistical likelihood ofoperational failure. Finally, the conventional devices have generallyrequired some form of external energy input to accomplish the desiredbalancing function.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid flowequalizer which is both effective and reliable in operation, thoughsimple and inexpensive to manufacture and maintain.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide aproportional fluid flow controller of the type described above whichautomatically monitors the flow of fluid from the diverse sources andquickly responds to a disproportionate flow condition to correct samewithout requiring any additional energy input.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fluidflow equalizer of the type described above which, by virtue of itssimplicity of design and construction, avoids the various disadvantagesinherent in the devices in use heretofore for accomplishing a similarfunction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The aforementioned objectives are accomplished,in accordance with the present invention, by providing a balancing vanedevice having contoured opposite surfaces supported rotatably at thejuncture of two convergent conduits carrying fluid from separatesources. Flapper valve bodies are disposed in each of the respectiveconduits in the region of the balancing vane device and arranged so asto cooperate with a respective opposite surface of the balancing vanedevice. The flapper valve bodies are each spring-biased toward a closedposition, thus serving as a nozzle within each of the respectiveconduits.

The balancing vane, which is of a substantially T-shaped configurationin plan view, is supported pivotably about a point upon its axis ofsymmetry, located near the junction of the stem and crossbar portions ofthe T-shaped member. The stem portion extends between the two respectiveconduits and the opposite sides thereof have a curved configurationwhich serve as extensions of the respective conduits. The balancing vaneis spring-biased to remain in a neutral position.

Assuming that the spring load on each of the flapper valve bodies issubstantially identical, a substantially equal fluid pressure in excessof the force exerted by the spring load in each of the two respectiveconduits will allow the balancing vane to remain in its neutral positionand permit the passage of a substantially balanced flow of fluid fromthe two respective conduits, If, however, for any reason, the fluidpressure in one of the two conduits decreases substantially relative tothe fluid pressure in the other conduit, the unbalanced flow from oneconduit will exert a force upon the balancing vane which will create amoment about its pivotal support, causing the balancing vane to berotated against its spring bias. Thus rotated, the crossbar portion ofthe T-shaped member, cooperating with the flapper valve body disposedwithin the conduit wherein the relatively greater flow exists, serves torestrict the passage of fluid thereby. At the same time, the thusrotated balancing vane provides a correspondingly increased passage forthe fluid in the conduit wherein the relatively lesser flow exists. As aresult, the flow of fluid within the two conduits will shortly bereturned to substantial equilibrium at which time the balancing vanewill automatically return to its equilibrium, or neutral position.

External indicators may additionally be provided to afford a simplevisual means for detennining the position ofeach of the flapper valvebodies as well as the balancing vane. These indicators serve to quicklyapprise the service personnel of the location of the source of anyunbalanced flow conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The aforementioned objectives,features, and advantages of the present invention will become morereadily apparent from a consideration of the detailed descriptionhereinbelow, when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing which is a schematic representation of a plan view of the fluidflow equalizer constructed in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The schematic representationillustrates one embodiment of the fluid flow equalizer constructed inaccordance with the present invention, as intended to serve forbalancing fuel flow from two separate tanks to an engine. In thedrawing, reference numerals l and 2 designate, respectively, twoconvergent conduits carrying fuel from fuel tanks numbers I and 2 (notshown), the direction of flow within the conduits 1 and 2 beingindicated by the arrows in the respective conduits. Contoured flappervalve bodies 3 and 4, pivotally supported at pins 5 and 6, respectively,are associated with conduits l and 2, respectively. Each of the flappervalve bodies 3 and 4 are spring-biased, by means of coil springs 7 and8, respectively, to offer resistance, of a predetermined magnitude, tofuel flow through the respective associated conduit. Thus, the flappervalve bodies 3 and 4 serve as check valves which will open only when thepressure of the fuel in the respective conduit exceeds a predeterminedminimum level, for example, about two pSl.

Once the fuel pressure in each of the conduits l and 2 exceeds thatpressure which will exert a force exceeding the predetermined minimummagnitude, the flapper valve bodies 3 and 4 rotate about theirrespective pivots 5 and 6 and assume a position, such as thatillustrated, wherein they are balanced by the fuel pressure and theforces of springs and 8, respectively. In the illustrated position, thevalve bodies 3 and 4, cooperating with the opposing surfaces 9 and 10 atthe ends of conduits I and 2, respectively, exert a nozzlelike influenceon the fuel flowing in the conduits.

The balancing vane device, generally designated by reference numeral 11,includes a relatively stationary support member 12 disposed a shortdistance downstream of the point of convergence of the two conduits land 2. A balancing vane 13, having a substantially T-shapedconfiguration, is pivotably supported about pin 14. T8e stem portion ofthe T-shaped balancing vane extends between conduits I and 2 and hascontoured opposite surfaces each of which cooperates with a respectiveone of valve bodies 3 and 4 to form extensions of conduits l and 2.

T8e balancing vane 13 is spring-biased on opposite sides of pivot pin 14means of coil springs 15 and 16 which, by the exertion of equal andopposite moments, tend to retain balancing vane 13 in its equilibrium,or neutral, position illustrated. In this position, the fuel flow fromeach of conduits l and 2 is throttled, at points 17 and 18,respectively, between the opposite surfaces of balancing vane 13 andvalve bodies 3 and 4, respectively.

If, however, the fuel pressure in either of the conduits should differfrom that in the other conduit. Which condition might result from amalfunction of a fuel pump or an obstruction of one of the conduits, forexample, then the relatively greater fuel pressure prevailing in theother conduit will tend to exert an unbalanced force against its side ofthe balancing vane 13 at a point upstream of the pivot 14, therebycreating a bending moment causing vane 13 to be rotated from its neutralposition and to cooperate with the respective valve body to restrict theflow of fuel from that conduit wherein the relatively greater pressureprevails until such time as the cause of the unbalanced flow can becorrected. Thus, even though the fuel pressure in the two conduits isunbalanced, the flow quantity of fuel passing from the throttling pointsl7 and 18 remains substantially in balance.

Externally positioned indicators 19 and 20 are provided for purposes ofquickly indicating the position of valve bodies 3 and 4, respectivly.Similarly, an external indicator 21 is provided to afford a visualindication of the position of balancing vane 13.

Of course, the fluid flow equalizer contemplated by the presentinvention may also be employed so as to maintain a predeterminedunbalanced flow condition. This could be accomplished very simply byeither manually or automatically adjusting the spring-load on thebalancing vane 13 to the desired unbalanced proportions. While thepresent invention has been described hereinabove with reference to but asingle embodiment, it is to be clearly understood that the scope of theinvention is not limited to the specific details of the singleembodiment, but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications aswould be apparent to one with normal skill in the pertinent technology.

What I claim is: 1. Apparatus for automatically controlling fluid flowfrom two separate sources according to predetermined volumetricproportions, comprising:

two conduit means for conveying fluid, under pressure, from said twoseparate sources, respectively, said two conduit means converging attheir respective outlet ends,

check valve means disposed in each of said two conduit means in theregion of said outlet ends thereof, said check valve means beingspring-biased toward a position whereby each of said conduit means iseffectively closed, and

balancing vane means disposed between the respective outlet ends of saidtwo conduit means approximately at the point of convergence thereof forresponding to a sensed volumetric flow deviating from said predeterminedproportions to restrict the fluid flow from either of said two conduitmeans to restore the proportional fluid flow from said two conduit meansto the predetermined ratio.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said check valve meansinclude flapper valve body means pivotably supported at one side of eachof said two conduit means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said balancing vane meansincludes a balancing vane having a substantially T-shaped configurationin plan view, the stem portion of said T-shaped member extending betweenthe respective outlet ends of said two conduit means.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said balancing vane meansfurther includes relatively stationary support means, said balancingvane being pivotably supported at said support means for rotationrelative thereto.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the two opposite sides ofsaid balancing vane are spaced from one of said two flapper valve bodymeans and contoured so as to define, together with each of saidrespective valve body means, exten sions, of variable cross-sectionalarea, of each of said two conduit means.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a stem portion of saidbalancing vane means extends upstream therefrom such that the fluid flowfrom each of said conduit means exerts a force thereon producing amoment about the pivotal support of said balancing vane means.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said balancing vane isspring-biased at two places on opposite sides of its pivotal support tocause said vane to assume an equilibrium position.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said balancing vane isspring-biased such that the moments produced by the loading thereon areequal and opposite and the equilibrium position of the vaneapproximately bisects the angle between the two convergent conduitmeans, wherein the cross-sectional area of said two conduit means issubstantially equal, and wherein the spring-bias on each of said checkvalve means is substantially equal, whereby the volumetric fluid flowfrom the two conduit means is effectively equalized.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising means forindicating the positions of each of said check valve means and saidbalancing vane.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said means for indicatingthe positions of said check valve means and said balancing vane includepointers provided at the respective pivotal supports of each of thethree movable members and secured for rotation with the respectiveassociated movable member.

1. Apparatus for automatically controlling fluid flow from two separatesources according to predetermined volumetric proportions, comprising:two conduit means for conveying fluid, under pressure, from said twoseparate sources, respectively, said two conduit means converging attheir respective outlet ends, check valve means disposed in each of saidtwo conduit means in the region of said outlet ends thereof, said checkvalve means being spring-biased toward a position whereby each of saidconduit means is effectively closed, and balancing vane means disposedbetween the respective outlet ends of said two conduit meansapproximately at the point of convergence thereof for responding to asensed volumetric flow deviating from said predetermined proportions torestrict the fluid flow from either of said two conduit means to restorethe proportional fluid flow from said two conduit means to thepredetermined ratio.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidcheck valve means include flapper valve body means pivotably supportedat one side of each of said two conduit means.
 3. Apparatus according toclaim 2, wherein said balancing vane means includes a balancing vanehaving a substantially T-shaped configuration in plan view, the stemportion of said T-shaped member extending between the respective outletends of said two conduit means.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3,wherein said balancing vane means further includes relatively stationarysupport means, said balancing vane being pivotably supported at saidsupport means for rotation relative thereto.
 5. Apparatus according toclaim 4, wherein the two opposite sides of said balancing vane arespaced from one of said two flapper valve body means and contoured so asto define, together with each of said respective valve body means,extensions, of variable cross-sectional area, of each of said twoconduit means.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a stem portionof said balancing vane means extends upstream therefrom such that thefluid flow from each of said conduit means exerts a force thereonproducing a moment about the pivotal support of said balancing vanemeans.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said balancing vane isspring-biased at two places on opposite sides of its pivotal support tocause said vane to assume an equilibrium position.
 8. Apparatusaccording to claim 7, wherein said balancing vane is spring-biased suchthat the moments produced by the loading thereon are equal and oppositeand the equilibrium position of the vane approximately bisects the anglebetween the two convergent conduit means, wherein the cross-sectionalarea of said two conduit means is substantially equal, and wherein thespring-bias on each of said check valve means is substantially equal,whereby the volumetric fluid flow from the two conduit means iseffectively equalized.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, furthercomprising means for indicating the positions of each of said checkvalve means and said balancing vane.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 8,wherein said means for indicating the positions of said check valvemeans and said balancing vane include pointers provided at therespective pivotal supports of each of the three movable members andsecured for rotation with the respective associated movable member.